Myology

Question 1

What are antagonistic and agonist muscles?

Answer 1

Agonist (or prime movers) muscles produce movement. - CONTRACT

Antagonist muscle moves the body part back to its original position. - LENGTHEN

Question 2

What are the 3 different types of muscle tissue in the body?

Answer 2

1. Skeletal Muscle
2. Smooth Muscle (lining of the walls of internal organs and structures)
3. Cardiac Muscle (only in the heart)

Question 3

What are efferent messages and afferent messages?

Answer 3

Efferent messages travel from the brain through the nerves to the muscle receptors.

Afferent messages travel from the muscle receptors through the nerves, spinal cord, and to the brain

Question 4

What does the Central Nervous System consist of?

Answer 4

The brain and the spinal cord.

Question 5

What are the 4 different methods of stretching in Yogasana? Hint: there are 4.

Answer 5

1. Ballistic Stretching 2. Passive Stretching 3. Active Stretching 4. Facilitated Stretching

Question 6

What is Passive Stretching?

Answer 6

Form of static stretching that uses body weight, gravity, and synergist/antagonist pairs to stretch and hold for periods of time.

Question 7

What is Active Stretching?

Answer 7

Being in a position with no assistance other than the use of the agonist muscles.

Question 8

What is Facilitated Stretching?

Answer 8

Also known at PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation).

When the targeted muscle creates a brief contraction, which signals the Golgi Tendon Organ to signal the spinal cord to advise the muscle to relax, which deepens the stretch. “Contract - Relax”

Question 9

Define Abduction and give one pose example, along with what is being Abducted

Answer 9

Moving the body part away from the midline. Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide Legged Forward Fold) both thighs are being abducted at the hip joint.

Question 10

Define Adduction and give one pose example, along with what is being Adducted.

Answer 10

Moving the body towards the midline.

Garudasana/Eagle the thigh at the hip joint and also the arms towards the midline of body

Question 11

Define Flexion and give on pose example, along with what is being Flexed.

Answer 11

Movement of a limb into a bent position (i.e. towards the face). The angle between the bones is decreased. In Utthita Balasana/Extended Child’s pose there is flexion at the knee joint, the hip joint, and the spine

Question 12

Define Extension and give on pose example, along with what is being Extended.

Answer 12

Restoring a body part back to its anatomical position after flexion. Back bending asana are considered hyperextension of the spine. In Tadasana the spine is considered to be extended.

Question 13

What movements can the Wrists do?

Answer 13

Flexion, Extension, Ulnar Rotation (little finger), Radial Rotation (thumb).

Question 14

What movements can the Elbows do?

Answer 14

Flexion, Extension, Pronation, Supination

Question 15

What movements can the Shoulders do?

Answer 15

Flexion, Extension, Abduction, Adduction, External (Lateral) Rotation, Internal (Medial) Rotation, Depression, Retraction, Protraction, Circumduction

Question 16

What movements can the Cervical Spine do?

Answer 16

Flexion, Extension, Lateral Flexion, Axial Rotation

Question 17

What movements can the Thoracic Spine do?

Answer 17

Flexion, Extension, Lateral Flexion, Axial Rotation.

Question 18

What movements can the Lumbar Spine do?

Answer 18

Flexion and Extension

Question 19

What movements can the Hips do?

Answer 19

Abduction, Adduction, Flexion, Extension, Circumduction, Internal (Medial) Rotation, External (Lateral) Rotation, Anterior Tilt, Posterior Tilt, Hiking.

Question 20

What movements can the Knees do?

Answer 20

Extension, Flexion, also accidental Internal and External rotation can cause tears

Question 21

What movements can the Ankles do?

Answer 21

Inversion, Eversion, Dorsi Flex, Plantar Flex, Circumduction.

Question 22

Apply your understanding of the golgi tendon organ reflex and discuss your findings

Answer 22

The Golgi Tendon Organ (GTO) is described as a “safety mechanism for the muscles and tendons”

we can use the GTO’s behaviour to enhance stretching by triggering it’s relax response known as Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) to create slack in the muscle which is then used to increase a stretch

Known as facilitated stretching is to apply the ‘Hold-Relax’ technique

Contract for 6-7sec, ensuring the contraction is at 30% of capacity, when released, the relax response is triggered, working with the rule that if a muscle contracts, it must relax.

Only use on healthy muscles!